bishop's cap
Mitella diphylla
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles partial sun or full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall6 to 9 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Bishop's cap (Mitella diphylla) is a perennial for woodland, shade garden, and low maintenance planting. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and dry to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Tiny white flowers with fringed petals open on slender spikes. A hand lens shows their fine geometry. One pair of stalkless leaves sits at midstem, which gives the plant its species name.
Pairs well with Frances Williams hosta, Blue wood aster, and Bladdernut.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 26 more places. See all 30
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV; NS, ON, and QC.